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Scuba Certification In Northern Virginia: Dry Suit Diving Tips

Dry Suit diving is becoming more and more popular in the world of scuba diving.  It allows divers longer bottom times in cold or frigid water conditions and also allows divers to dive in areas that are not fun to dive using a typical wetsuit.  While all divers using Drysuits should have special Dry Suit training a few tips will go along way in improving your dry suit experience.

Item #1: Know how to use your Dry Suit:
Buoyancy control is the single most difficult aspect of scuba diving.  When diving in a Dry Suit you not only have a Buoyancy Control Device or BCD to help control buoyancy but your Dry Suit is often used as a BCD at depth.  Know how to use your Dry Suit.  Take the PADI Dry Suit Specialty Diver Course to learn the safe way of diving with a Dry Suit.

Item #2: Don your Dry Suit at the appropriate time:
Divers choose Dry Suits to dive in cold water, not necessarily due to cold air conditions.  If it is a cold day you can don your Dry Suit when ever you wish since it will help keep you warm on the surface.  However, if it is a particularly warm day, do not don your Dry Suit until you are ready to get into the water.  This will help avoid overheating on the surface, a very real problem.

Item #3: Wear Undergarments appropriate to your diving environment:
Many Dry Suits require insulated underwear to maintain warmth.  This underwear comes in many different thicknesses, which is measured in degrees ranges.  Select the underwear appropriate to the temperature range in which you will be scuba diving.  This will keep you comfortable without the risk of being either too cold or too hot.

Item #4: Always make sure that your Dry Suit fits comfortably and that the zippers are securely closed:
Dry Suits are fitted very precisely.  If you have gained or lost a fair amount of weight your suit may not fit properly.  If it is too tight it will impede your breathing and motion.  If it is too lose it may hold more air then usual causing buoyancy issues and may even leak water.  Needless to say, always, always, make sure that your Dry Suit zipper is securely fastened.

Item #5: Streamline yourself as much as possible:
A Dry Suit has much more drag and resistance then a wetsuit.  Make sure that you are properly weighted and make yourself as horizontal as possible when diving.  This will help cut minimize drag and resistance.

Item #6:  Practice proper Dry Suit Skills:
Make sure that your routinely practice those ever important Dry Suit Dive Skills.  Think about the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Control Course, which will further assist you with proper weighting and streamlining when diving with a Dry Suit.

Item #7: Properly Maintain Your Dry Suit:
Your Dry Suit like any other piece of important scuba diving equipment must be maintained in proper working order to avoid problems.  Check your Dry Suit well prior to using it to make sure that your wrist and neck seals are functioning properly.  Lubricate your Dry Suit zippers with the appropriate wax prior to each dive.  Clean your suit inside and out after each dive.  Allow the Dry Suit to dry after washing.  Store your Dry Suit according to the instructions from the manufacturer.  Be prepared to for emergencies by having a patch kit and tape available should it be needed.

Your Dry Suit is a major investment in both time and money.  By adhering to these simple basic steps you can get years of safe enjoyment and some great scuba diving from your Dry Suit, which will lead to some great Aquatic Adventures.

Scuba Certification In Northern Virginia: 6 Common Scuba Diving Mistakes

Scuba Diving is a very safe sport.  However, like anything else things can go wrong.  Every year the  Diver’s Alert Network or DAN collects statistics relating to the previous years mishaps in scuba diving.  From this analysis it is possible to spot contributing factors to scuba diving emergencies.  Here are the five most common as reported by DAN.

Mistake #1: Neglecting Your Heath

As divers, we have an obligation to maintain good health. DAN recommends an annual physical by a physician familiar with dive medicine for anyone over 35 or any time there is a noticeable health change.  As we get older it becomes even more important to maintain good physical conditioning not only when scuba diving but in general.  Heart attacks are a leading cause of dive fatalities.

Mistake #2: Divers Exceeding Their Level Of Experience and Training

When we scuba dive we increase our dive experience and this builds the knowledge and skills inherent to dive safety.  As divers make more dives, they gain experience and practice with basic and emergency skills. This will better prepare them to meet challenges that may occur on a dive.  However, if we are attempting to try a totally new type of scuba diving endeavor commons sense dictates that we undergo some additional training and practice prior to this new experience.  Many divers, however, think nothing of pushing the envelope so to speak without any additional training or thought.

Mistake #3: Poor or No Buddy Communication

As scuba divers we routinely dive in buddy pairs for both safety and practicality.  It is only good common sense to sit down with your dive buddy prior to the dive and review your dive plan.  During this time a review of safety procedures should also be discussed.  This goes a long way in preventing dive problems.  Maintaining this contact and communication throughout the dive contributes to dive safety.

Statistics have shown that a majority of dive accidents occurred with divers either diving along or who had become separated from their buddies.  Good communication can prevent this error.

Mistake #4: Not Practicing Those Critical Skills

When you received your initial scuba diving training you were taught not only basic skills but several very important skills related to dealing with scuba diving emergencies.  Just like any other skills unless you either use these skills or practice them you become rusty and they are no longer second nature.  Then if a problem arises it is far more difficult to preform them.  DAN data clearly shows that many dive related accidents are a result of diver error, not necessarily equipment problems.   All scuba divers should routinely practice those important skills and if they have not been scuba diving in a while consider taking a scuba review course to refresh those skills.

Mistake #5: Not Maintaining Your Scuba Diving Equipment.

Equipment issues are involved in a large number of scuba diving injuries.  One of the advantages of owning your own equipment is that you know it fits you properly and that you are familiar with its characteristics.  Owning your own equipment makes you not only a better diver but a safer diver.  However, you must still have your equipment serviced on an annual basis to be sure that it is functioning in peak performance condition.

Mistake #6: Not Accepting Personal Responsibility For The Dive.

Each and every diver has equal responsibility for the conduct of the dive.  Everyone should be aware of what takes place during a dive and be prepared to modify the dive plan if conditions occur that could increase risk.  All too often divers routinely follow the Divemaster or group without regard to their personal depth, dive time or remaining air supply.  You would not want to drive a car without a gas gauge, but I have seen scuba divers following computer profiles without their own dive computer.  Running out of air or exceeding your allowable dive time is far more serious then running out of gas on the highway!

No matter how experienced a scuba diver you are, what your certification level,  or how long you have been diving, it is imperative that you follow the same common sense scuba diving rules that you were taught when you were first certified. If you avoid the mistakes we just discussed you will go a long way to making your Aquatic Adventures safer….

Scuba Diving Equipment in Northern Virginia: Aeris AT600 Regulator

There are a lot of different scuba regulators on the market today.  Every once in a while something new comes along worth looking at.  This is the case of the new Aeris ION AT600 regulator.  This pneumatically balanced regulator provides a very high volume of air with just the slightest of inhalation effort making the regulator easy to breath a any depth.  The lightweight second stage with a swivel reduces effort and makes breathing seem effortless.

Scuba Diving Magazine reported in a 2008 review:

“The ION feels light in the mouth due to its small size and ABS/Polycarbonate composite construction, plus it’s a great breather, as evidenced by perfect scores on the ANSTI breathing machine.”

The ION regulator was reviewed by Scuba Lab and given a “Tester’s Choice Award” for 2012 in the under $500 regulator class.

Other features of the Aeris ION Regulator are:

• Pneumatically balanced second stage with virtually no breathing effort
• Patented Dynamic Adjustment automatically maintains inhalation effort throughout the dive
• Adjustable venturi switch for dive/pre-dive adjustment
• Maxflex hose for increased comfort and reduced jaw fatigue
• Nitrox compatible to 40%
• Patented orthodontic mouthpiece with high density bite tabs
• Rugged, lightweight 5.4 ounce second stage with extremely small 2.3” wide outer ring
• AT600 First Stage
• High performance over-balanced diaphragm first stage with an optional environmental seal.
• 4 LP ports, 1 HP ports for maximum hose placement
• Nitrox compatible to 40%
• Availble with swivel connection and environmental protection kit

A lightweight version – the AT600 LT is also available.  This version does not have the swivel nor is it environmentally sealed.  It is, however, offered at an even more economical price point.

Every once in a while it is just plain nice to spoil yourself.  This regulator delivers quality at an incredibly reasonable price.  You owe it to your self to check this one out when you are in the market for the next new regulator.

Scuba Diving Travel: Our Trip To Curacao

Many of us learn to scuba dive because it combines the best of travel to exotic locations and the opportunity to explore pristine reefs and their very special inhabitants.  This fall we have a one week excursion to Curacao planned for October 12-19, 2013.

Curacao is outside the hurricane belt in the Southern Caribbean, 60 miles from Venezuela.  It is located between the islands of Aruba and Bonaire, both diving meccas as well.  Known as one of the ABC Islands, Curacao is very unique.  Its Dutch Colonial buildings painted in shades of yellow. orange and blue are reminiscent of Amsterdam, yet the dry climate, barren soil, and cacti are more like what you would find in the Southwestern United States.  Curacao’s greatest asset lies just offshore.  It is the island’s coral reefs that surround the island that draws ever increasing numbers of tourists.  These tourists are snorkelers and scuba divers.

Join us in October 2013 for a fantastic Caribbean Fall Get-A-Way!  We will stay seven days and six nights at Lodge Kura Hulanda.  We have scheduled five days of two tank boat dives and unlimited shore diving.  To make sure that you are ready and raring to go, breakfast daily (Monday-Friday) is included in our package.  Lodge Kura Hulanda and Beach Club is a newer property and has received several very complimentary reviews.   We have stayed at Lodge Kura Hulanda before and we are going back by popular demand.

We will spend an entire week (October, 12 – 19, 2013) at Kura Hulanda Lodge.  The vibrant city of WILLEMSTAD, full of colorful colonial architecture, is the hub of activity in Curaçao. It’s a cosmopolitan place, with enough cultural attractions, shopping and places to eat to satisfy those looking for an alternative to a typical beach vacation.  A complementary shuttle bus runs twice a day from the resort to town for those of us who want to sight-see and perhaps do some shopping.

Included in this Package:

• 8 days 7 nights at Kura Hulanda Lodge in Curacao
• Hotel taxes and fees
• 5 days two tank boat dives and unlimited shore diving
• tanks & weights included
• Breakfast daily
• Round trip transfers from airport to hotel in Curacao
• Use of on site fitness facilities

Scuba Diving trips are a great way to indulge your passion for scuba diving with the rest and fun of exploring an exotic new country or island.  Join us for that next great Aquatic Adventure!

Scuba Diving Equipment in Northern Virginia: Why Dive Use A Dive Computer?

For years scuba divers used special dive tables to tell them how long they could dive at certain depths.  Today, the dive computer is fast replacing the dive table as the reference tool for safe scuba diving.  Today we will look at the advantages of diving with a computer.

Dive Computers Offer Longer Bottom Times:
Dive tables calculate all dives as if the entire dive was conducted at a given depth.  Since dive computers have a built in depth gauge and timer it can calculate exactly at what depth you are diving and can therefore give you credit for time spent at shallower depths.  This results in being able to stay down on your dives much longer then you can if you are diving with the dive tables.

Increased Dive Safety:
Scuba diving with a dive computer is safer then scuba diving on the tables.  In addition to the factors we just discussed when diving with dive tables you cannot change your dive plan underwater since your tables are usually not taken on the dive with you.  That means even minor changes in your planned dive profile can drastically alter your overall dive plan.  Dive computers keep track of the residual nitrogen that you have absorbed on prior dives so the information that the computer gives you is very accurate.  Built in alarms will also warn you should you go deeper then planned or stay longer then allowed.

Dive Computers Save You Money By Giving You Longer Dive Times!
Dive computers are far more expensive then the dive tables but they will pay for themselves every time you use them.  Lets say that a two tank boat dive costs you $75.00  and the tables might allow you 20 minutes on the first dive to 100 feet and 30 minutes at 60 feet on the second dive for a total of 50 minutes diving. By scuba diving with a dive computer you can work your way shallower on the dive and stay down longer.  One hour dives are very common when diving with a computer.  In this instance the same $75.00 boat fee would allow you up to two hours of bottom time or more.  As you can see you can make back the cost of the computer very quickly.

Since most scuba divers today dive with a computer it is not unusual for a dive boat to require all divers to use a computer to avoid large differences in allowable dive times enabling all of the divers to return to the boat around the same time.  It makes it easier for the boat to keep track of their divers.

Dive Computers Are Both Log Books and Dive Planners:
Since the dive computer tracks you recent past dive profiles they will accurately display how long you can stay down on a subsequent scuba dive.  This is known as the Dive Planning Mode.  If the time displayed is not long enough, simply relax a short while and check again.  The longer surface interval will result in longer repetitive dives.  This can also be accomplished with dive tables but requires calculations while the computer does it instantly.

Another nice feature of the dive computer is its Log Book Mode.  It will keep track and electronically record your scuba dives.  Many computers also allow you to download this information to your laptop computer in case you want a hard copy.

Know Your Computer:
There are many different brands and types of dive computers on the market.  While they are very similar many have slightly different functions and controls.  It is important to read your owners manual to make sure you know how to use your computer.  Also remember the basic rules you were taught when learning the dive tables.  The laws of physics do not change just because you have a computer.  It is safer to complete your deeper dives prior to shallower dives.  It is also safer and will allow longer dive times to start your dive with the deeper portion and to work your way shallower toward the end of the dives.

Many dive computer manufacturers like Aeris offer new computer purchasers a free video tutorial on how to use the computer.  PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors offers a Specialty Diver Course called Multi Level Diver, which covers the use of dive computers.  This is a popular course at Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Center in Alexandria, Virginia.

Scuba Dive Equipment in Northern Virginia: Proper Care For Your BCD

The purpose of your Buoyancy Control Device or BCD is to allow you to add or release air from your BCD.  This in turn makes you either more or less buoyant enabling your to maintain your position in the water with much less effort.  A truly well fitting and comfortable BCD not only makes diving a pleasure it is a true piece of safety equipment for the diver, and consequently it is very important to keep the BCD in proper working order.  Today, we will discuss a few tips on properly maintaining your Buoyancy Control Device or BCD.

1/   Rinse Your BCD:
After you dives rinse your BCD in fresh water.  Dunk it up and down in the water to remove sand, salt and any other deposits that may have adhered to it.   Let the BCD soak in the water for several minutes.

2/   Rinse The Inside of The BCD:
After rinsing the BCD in a tub hose down the outside with fresh water, then pour water down the oral inflation mechanism while pushing the oral release button.   Once water is inside the BCD orally inflate the BCD the rest of the way.  Swish the water around so that it can help flush the inside walls of the device.  Turn the BCD upside down and depress the inflation button allowing the water to drain.  Refill the BCD once more and swish.  Orally inflate the BCD and this time drain the device allowing water to exit by both the power inflation button and the remote exhaust.

3/  Inspect The Outside Of The BCD:
Once the cleaning is done inspect the device thoroughly.  Look at the corrugated hose and inspect it for nicks or cuts in the hose.  Check the cummerbund and any Velcro closures to make sure that they are clean and that the sides adhere to each other.

4/   Check The Integrated Weight System:
Carefully look at the integrated weight system if you have one.  Inspect the pockets to make sure that the sewn seams are intact and that all clips or Velcro pockets close properly.

5/   Check That The BCD  Seals And Operation:
Orally inflate your BCD and make sure that it is properly holding air and not leaking.  Pull on the releases to make sure that they are venting properly.

6/  Properly Stow Your BCD:
Once you have cleaned and thoroughly checked your buoyancy control device, orally inflate it until it is at least half full of air.  Now you can store the BCD and allow it to dry prior to your next dive.  Try not to store the BCD in bright sunlight, to prevent color fading.  By storing the BCD inflated it will maintain its shape and the inside walls should not stick together like they would if the BCD was allowed to dry without be inflated.

Your Buoyancy Control Device is an important piece of scuba diving equipment.  A little extra care will go a long way in extending the lifetime of the equipment.  Your BCD should also be serviced annually by your local dive center, just like your scuba regulator.  Taking the PADI Equipment Specialty Course will also show you tips for caring for your dive equipment.  By properly maintaining your equipment you will make your next dive a worry free Aquatic Adventure.

Scuba Diving Travel: Tips on Avoiding Sea Sickness

One of the most unpleasant things that can occur when scuba diving is to suffer from sea sickness.  It can really put a damper on what otherwise might have been a great outing.  Some of us are more prone to sea sickness then others.  Fortunately there are things you can do to prevent or lessen the likely hood of encountering this problem.

1/    Get a good nights rest prior to diving. Being well rested when going out on a dive boat will go a long way in helping you prevent sea sickness.  Since many cases of sea sickness are caused or initiated by vertigo, being well rested will help you and your eyes adjust to the changing conditions.

2/  Eat a good breakfast. An empty stomach is much more sensitive then a stomach that has food in it.  Food helps absorb stomach acid and in turn helps lesson feelings of nausea.  Avoid greasy or spicy foods prior to diving and instead focus on foods that are gentler to your stomach like pancakes rather then bacon and eggs.

3/  Be well hydrated. Not only is dehydration a major contributing factor to decompression sickness, it also has the same negative effects of diving on an empty stomach.  It makes it more likely that your stomach will react poorly to the wave action when sailing.

4/  Don’t forget sea sick medication. Many of us are more prone to sea sickness then others.  Given enough turbulence even the more experienced sailor can experience sea sickness.  There are many good over the counter medications that go a long way in helping prevent sea sickness.  They all work best when taken prior to the boat ride, not during.

5/  Stay in the fresh air. Many boat cabins are stuffy and many even contain minute amounts of  diesel or gas fumes which can make you very nauseous.  If you stay in a gentle breeze the fresh air will help dissipate any of the gas odors that might effect you.

6/  Stay amidships and focus on the horizon. We said earlier that vertigo was a major contributing factor to sea sickness.  The closer to the sides of the boat the more you will rock and see the wave action.  By staying in the middle and focusing on the horizon will lesson the effects of the boat rolling in the waves.

7/  Leeward not windward. If you do feel ill go to the down wind side of the boat.  Yes, there is more fresh air on the windward side but if you do get sick and have to feed the fish, the wind will blow your fish food back into the boat and on yourself and other divers.  If you are leeward you still get fresh air but are able to spare others of your problems.

8/  Diving is better then remaining on board. Often times a diver will feel sea sick and want to skip the dive.  That means staying on board and being effected by what caused the problem initially.  Once diving you are breathing on fresh clean air and do not feel the effects of the rolling boat while scuba diving.  If at all possible fight the urge to lay down and go down on that dive instead.  In the unlikely event that you do get sick while diving simply take one bite wing of the mouthpiece out of your mouth and press the purge button.  The force of the purge will blow your vomit away harmlessly and the air pocket will keep you from inhaling any water.  This is a skill often taught in the Rescue Diver Course.

Scuba diving is fun and diving from a dive boat will take you to dive locations you cannot reach from shore.  A few precautions like getting a good night’s sleep, eating a good breakfast, being well hydrated and taking your sea sick medication can help you avoid any unpleasantness and get more enjoyment during those next great Aquatic Adventures.

Learn To Scuba Dive In Northern Virginia: Tips on Saving Air

One of the very first things that you notice about an experienced scuba diver is how much longer they can stay down on every dive compared to the other scuba divers.  This actually becomes a badge of accomplishment among scuba divers.  It often takes quite a bit of experience to accomplish this, but there are a few tricks to help get you started.

Be Neutrally Buoyant When Scuba Diving:

Most new scuba divers, and many not so new divers where way too much lead when scuba diving.  Being over weighted makes it easier to go down, but is more then off set by many other factors.  First, when over weighted you have to put more air in your Buoyancy Control Device at depth.  This in turn creates more drag and resistance making you work harder.  Working harder makes you use your air faster.  Secondly, the extra air in your BCD means that your body position on the dive is more diagonal then horizontal.  This also creates additional drag causing you to use even more air.

Stay More Shallow On Your Dives:

You learned when you were first certified as a scuba diver that the deeper you go the more air you use with each breath.  If you make shallower dives or stay a little bit more shallow then the group you will use less air then if you dove deeper.  This in turn will increase your bottom times on the dives.

Breath Slowly and Deeply During the Dive:

When you breath, you take in 21% oxygen with each breath and exhale about 16% oxygen.  You are using a small amount of the oxygen you breath in.  The most efficient way to breath when scuba diving is to breath slowly and deeply throughout the entire dive.  This forces you to use more of the oxygen in the air that you breath with each breath.   This slow and deep breathing actually helps increase your bottom times on the dive since you are using your air more efficiently.

Own and Maintain Your Equipment:

You personal scuba equipment is your mode of transportation through the underwater world.  When you own your own scuba equipment it should have been personally fitted to you when you  purchased it.  The sales person at the Dive Center also made sure that what you purchased was suited to you personally and the type of scuba diving that you do.  Having your own equipment means you will be used to your equipment and not have to work as hard as you do when using rental equipment.

By maintaining your equipment in peak condition it will perform better throughout the dive helping you conserve your energy and improve your air consumption.  A regulator that is out of tune or a regulator or BCD that has even a small leak with waste air during your dive, shortening your bottom time.   If you use rental equipment when you scuba dive you have no control over the care that the equipment is given, nor any guarantee that it even fits you properly.

Scuba Diving Equipment: Wear Appropriate Exposure Protection or Scuba Wetsuit:

Many scuba divers do not realize the role that a wetsuit or proper exposure protection plays in bottom times.  Your body burns oxygen to help maintain its warmth.  A diver who is cold will go through his or her air faster then a scuba diver who is not cold.  Newer or less experienced divers may not feel cold since they are working very hard due to poor body positioning or just plain poor dive technique.  An accomplished diver does not generate his or her own heat since they are very efficient when scuba diving.  On your next dive vacation look at the Divemaster on the Dive Boat.  You will notice that the Divemaster is wearing a full wetsuit, since he or she is very efficient in the water and also knows the value in appropriate exposure protection.

Practice Good Buoyancy Control:

Good buoyancy control is something that is learned over time.  A good way to get started with good buoyancy is to take the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty Dive Course.  This is a specialty that focuses on being properly weighted, having a streamlined body position in the water and having an efficient kick stroke.  During the Peak Performance Buoyancy Course you will also learn not to use your hands when diving.  Sculling or using your hands simple creates more drag and resistance in the water and causes you to use your air more rapidly.  The PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Course literally puts the icing on the cake, so to speak about what we talked about above.  Good buoyancy control also comes in handy in many types of scuba diving, such as underwater photography or wreck diving.

Take some time to practice these tips and you will be surprised at how quickly your scuba diving improves and your bottom times along with it.

Scuba Dive Travel in Northern Virginia: Dive Boat Etiquette

Scuba diving on a dive boat is a luxury.  It will get you to an out of the way dive site that you might not be able to reach otherwise.  The captain and crew work very hard to insure your comfort and safety.  A few common sense rules to follow will help make your trip all the better.

1 Always Arrive At The Boat On Time:
Dive boats are often in use multiple times each day.  It is important that they depart and return on time or the subsequent dives will not be on time.  Divers should arrive at the designated loading area a little prior to the announced boarding time.  You need to allow ample time to double check your gear and to allow for any additional paperwork that might be needed that day.  If you are late in arriving you may literally miss the boat!

2 Do Not Board The Boat Until Asked Aboard By The Crew:
Dive boats need to be properly prepared prior to their departure.  Fresh dive cylinders, snacks, first aid supplies and even emergency oxygen need to be loaded on board or checked prior to casing off.  The crew needs adequate time and space to get ready for the days activities.  If you board too early you simply get in the way or even prevent the crew from completing their assigned tasks.  As soon as the boat is ready you will be invited aboard.  Once on board you should quickly and neatly stow your equipment and double check everything prior to departure.

3 Listen To The Boat Safety Briefing:
At the beginning of any dive boat trip a member of the crew will give a boat safety briefing.  Listen carefully.  The safety briefing will include not only important safety instructions in the case of an emergency but some common sense tips on what will work best on the particular boat from which you are diving.  Pay attention and do not distract the attention of others by talking during the briefing. 

4 Stay In Your Allotted Area or Space:
Dive boats with a load of scuba divers and dive gear can be very crowded.  For your comfort and the comfort and safety of everyone on board you need to set up in a confined area and keep you equipment there as well.   Pack you gear in a folding mesh dive bag prior to boarding the boat.  Set your equipment up in your area and stow your bag and any extra gear in the area beneath your bench.  It is not only good manners to maintain you gear in your own space, but it will prevent possible equipment damage or even divers from tripping over your items.

5 Be Safe – Heavy objects on the deck and Cameras on the Camera Table:
Even while at the dock, Dive boats can roll when waves brush up against them.  Heavy objects like weight belts can fall off of benches.  Weight Belts and other heavy objects should be safely stowed where they cannot fall and damage other equipment or even worse a diver’s foot.

6 Set Up Your Gear – Check To Make Sure You Have Everything:
Once your dive gear is on board immediately set up your scuba unit.  Check your air then turn your air off and purge the line.  Secure your unit with the ropes or bungees that the boat has in place.  Make sure you have everything.  Once the boat departs it is too late to replace a forgotten item.

7  Use the Proper Buckets:
Most Dive Boats will have a bucket to rinse masks and a separate bucket to rinse cameras.  Some boats will even have a third bucket for other gear.  Never put your mask in the camera bucket.  The defog that you use on your mask can damage the chemical coating on the camera lenses.  If you need to rinse your mask and their is no mask bucket dip your hand in the camera bucket and scoop some water out to pour into your mask.  Once you rinse your mask do not pour the water back into the camera bucket.  Regulators and wetsuits should never be put in a mask or camera bucket either.

8 Keep The Dry Area Dry:
Many divers will bring a towel, camera and even a log book on board.  These items are usually stowed in a “dry area” of the boat.  Please make sure that you keep this area dry.  Do not place wet gear or towels in this area.  If the boat has an enclosed cabin area it is important not to enter that area while wearing a wetsuit.  Water in that area not only creates a safety hazard for slipping but can cause mildew and odor in what is the living area of the boat.

9 Enter & Exit The Water Properly:
When divers are lined up to enter the water be ready.  Have your equipment appropriately in place and be ready to go when it is your turn.  Use the entry technique recommended in the Dive Briefing.  When returning to the boat wait your turn to use the ladder.  Hold the trail line until it is your turn.  Never get onto the ladder when someone is still climbing out.  If they were to fall they could land on top of you.  When it is your turn quickly move to the ladder and follow the technique recommended in the dive briefing.  Once on board move yourself and your equipment out of the way to make room for the next diver.

10  Remember The Crew: Thank and Tip the Captain and Crew:
The boat crew goes out of their way to make sure that you have a safe and enjoyable trip.  Be sure to thank them.  It is also customary to tip the crew.  If the crew went above and beyond the call of duty in helping you either spot critters, take care of your gear or even help you in or out of the boat it is nice to thank them with an extra gratuity.  Like a waiter or waitress, tips are a major part of their income.

Scuba Diving from a boat offers several advantages in addition to just being fun.  The Professional Association of Diving Instructors, PADI, offers a scuba diving specialty course entitled Boat Diver.  This is a great course to take and will make you not only a better scuba diver but a more courteous one as well.  At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, a PADI 5 Star Dive Center in Alexandria, Virginia the Boat Diver Specialty Course is offered on many of our Scuba Diving Vacation Trips.

Scuba Certification In Virginia: Discover Tec Diving

The PADI Discover Tec Experience is a Dive conducted in shallow water wearing technical diving gear. The experience is designed for certified divers who want to gain insight into what Tec Diving is about, but are not sure about signing up for a Tec Diving course.  In fact if you do decide to enroll in the next Tec Diving Course, this experience can be counted as Dive 1 of the  Tec 40 diver course by simply completing a few more skills when taking that next course.

Some of the gear you’ll use includes but is not limited to:

1. Two Cylinders that can be either back mounted or side mounted with DIN system connections – an alternative is a single cylinder with an “H” Valve.
2. Primary and secondary regulators where the primary has a 2 meter/ 7 foot long hose.
3. Technical Diving BCD (Wings) and harness or sidemount harness for sidemount.
4. Dive computer, or a timer, depth gauge and tables.

Prerequisites to take the Discover Tec Course:

1. Be a PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent
2. Have a minimum of ten logged dives
3. Be at least 18 years of age

Are you curious about what Tec Diving is all about?  Want to sample it and not have to make a big commitment?  Then the Discover Tec Course might be just what you are looking for.